Montverde Academy

This summer, several MVA students from the Interlachen yearbook staff tackled Camp Orlando to kick off their planning for the 2027 yearbook.

Brooke Burton, editor-in-chief, and Claire Tornetta, associate editor-in-chief, led the team through brainstorming theme statements, visual looks, and book organization.

Rising senior Evelyn Schorr attended the writing workshop with UCF professor Rick Brunson and placed third in the final submission pieces.

The staff left camp with a theme direction and are looking forward to another year telling the stories on MVA’s campus! 🦅⭐

Rising 11th grader Haya Ghanayem attended the highly selective AIM (Accounting & Information Management) Summer Program at the University of Tennessee's Haslam College of Business. During the program, she explored accounting, business leadership, and financial literacy while experiencing college life and connecting with fellow high-achieving students.

"The AIM Program helped me step outside my comfort zone, build confidence, and explore future opportunities in business," said Haya. "I learned how financial information and critical thinking support real-world decisions. My biggest takeaway was that leadership isn't about being the loudest in the room—it takes patience, inner strength, and a willingness to learn from others. The experience inspired me to continue exploring a future in business, finance, and leadership.”

Rising fourth grader Charlotte Kovatch made the most of her summer break with a season full of adventure, learning, and achievement!

In addition to attending several camps at Montverde Academy and SeaWorld, Charlotte traveled to Alaska, where she experienced unforgettable adventures including dog sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier, taking a helicopter ride, panning for gold, and whale watching.

Charlotte also put her martial arts skills to the test at the Victory Martial Arts World Convention, where she earned 3rd place in combat sparring! She is now preparing to test for her black belt this December.

From exploring new places to reaching new goals, Charlotte’s summer was one to remember!

This summer, Upper School Theatre Arts Director David Ian Lee brought Shakespeare to audiences across the northern plains as director of the North Dakota Shakespeare Festival's touring production of Macbeth.

The outdoor production traveled throughout North Dakota and the surrounding region in June, presenting a unique creative challenge: making one of Shakespeare's darkest plays feel chilling in broad daylight—where the sun didn't set until nearly 9:30 p.m.

Congratulations to Mr. Lee on this incredible achievement!

Rising sixth grader Enzo Di Grazia is already exploring the future of technology!

This summer, Enzo built a robot powered by artificial intelligence, using Python programming to create a system that can understand and respond to basic commands. Along the way, he developed valuable skills in coding, robotics, problem-solving, and AI while bringing his innovative ideas to life.

We can't wait to see what you create next, Enzo!

Rising sophomore Natalia Ghanem completed a two-week internship at Rocky Mountain Infectious Diseases where she shadowed a physician and gained hands-on experience in a clinical setting.

During her internship, Natalia assisted with taking patients' vitals; observed consultations, wound care, and telehealth appointments; and reviewed patient charts with the physician. She also learned about MRI and CT imaging, blood work, and many different types of infectious diseases.

This experience gave Natalia a better understanding of patient care and strengthened her passion for pursuing a career in medicine.

Rising freshman Kyndle Martinez recently participated in a leadership conference at the University of California, Berkeley, where she explored the intersection of business, leadership, and innovation.

Choosing the business track, Kyndle gained insight into investing, marketing, entrepreneurship, business ethics, advertising, and supply chain management. Each day included business and leadership sessions designed to strengthen her understanding of the business world while helping her discover and apply her own leadership style.

Through a leadership assessment, Kyndle identified herself as an “organizer," a leader who excels at planning, coordinating, and bringing ideas to life. She also collaborated with her team on a public service announcement project focused on “The Mental Health Cost of Hustle Culture,” exploring the importance of balance and well-being in today’s fast-paced world.

The conference also included educational field trips that allowed Kyndle to connect classroom concepts with real-world experiences while also exploring the vibrant culture of San Francisco. Through this opportunity, she developed valuable skills in leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship that will continue to shape her journey as a future leader.

This summer, rising junior Elissa Ghanem participated in Harvard’s Pre- College Program where she studied various government structures across the globe and the evolution of international law across history.

During the program, Elissa participated in Model UN-style simulations exploring pivotal moments in international law, including the Bandung Conference and the formation of the League of Nations. These experiences deepened her understanding of how governments evolve and how nations collaborate to address global challenges.

Beyond the classroom, she enjoyed exploring Cambridge and Boston while building connections with students from around the world who shared her passion for learning and global perspectives.

Congratulations to rising first grader Bryce Nelson II on an incredible achievement! 🥋✨
Competing on the national stage in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Bryce earned gold medals in both Kata and Kumite at the AAU Karate National Championships. With victories in both events, Bryce is the AAU National Champion in Kata and Kumite for the 6-year-old division. 🥇

Rising freshman Caleb Seetahal recently attended the National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM program at the University of Maryland. During the five-day program, Caleb engaged with doctors and scientists through speaker sessions while exploring and applying various aspects of STEM.

Caleb built and programmed his own robot; used forensic science techniques, such as fingerprinting and examining blood spatter, to solve a crime scene; and even participated in a sheep lung dissection!

He also learned how to treat injuries by practicing wound care, splinting, and sling techniques in hands-on clinical simulations and was even challenged to design a 2D and a 3D functional habitat for humans that could withstand specific, harsh environments using CAD software.

Way to go, Caleb! 🩺